Yesterday we took a look at the games coming this holiday and those planned for first quarter 2005. We promised to come back and pit these games against one another to show which quarter is superior. After all, Xbox has never had such a strong-looking Q1 as they do for 2005 and if Holiday 2004 with Halo 2, can lose to Q1 2005, that will be an impressive feat.

In our efforts to determine which quarter holds the most punch, we're taking these games and pitting them directly against one another. Since Q1 has more AAA titles than holiday 2004 (our count puts it at twelve to nine), some of these games will have to double up. We did our best to pick the fights that made the most sense with games the are in direct competition with one another. We went into this thinking Q1 would win easily. While it wasn't a laugher, it certainly looks good for the first quarter of next year.

Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith LordsLord of the Rings: The Third Agevs.Jade Empire

Two big RPGs come at the end of 2004, but there's an even bigger one waiting in the wings. KOTOR 2 is the offspring of BioWare's last project, but it's BioWare's new RPG, Jade Empire that has everyone's head turned. The Third Age should sell well, but isn't turning as many heads as we'd expect. And KOTOR 2, while looking excellent, does not seem like much of a step beyond the original. Jade Empire is fresh, with a unique theme, interesting fighting system, and the BioWare personal touch. Call us BioWare fanboys, but we can't possible go against Jade.

Holy 'eff are there a lot of great games coming in the early part of next year. You may be wondering why we chose this particularly lineup to utterly crush Ghost Recon 2. These games were all chosen because they aren't twitch shooters. Instead, these games require a bit more tactical thinking. Man, if you like thinking before killing people, you have a lot of options in 2005. Brothers in Arms alone carries the load, with beautiful graphics, inventive gameplay, and excellent AI. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is an early frontrunner for Game of the Year 2005 (seriously) and will silence a lot of doubters. Far Car Instincts is the only one that can't stand alone against Ghost Recon 2, but as added filler to these other two stellar offerings, there is no was GR 2 can compete.

Here we have sequels to the two games that launched Xbox Live. If not for these two franchises, Live would have stumbled out the gate. Now these two look to go toe-to-toe as that alternative Live action shooters over Halo 2. That means, these are the games you will turn to when taking a break from Halo 2. Choosing a winner is not easy.

Unreal looks strong, with new moves, a new perspective, melee combat, and at least one Mortal Kombat character. However, MechAssault 2 has a greatly improved single-player option, more robust multiplayer mode, and the awesome semi-persistent Conquest mode. Though Unreal may turn into something special, MechAssault 2 is the safe bet. Of course, since MechAssault 2 comes out three days before the end of the year, it's practically a Q1 title as is, still, chalk one up for the holidays -- even if that holiday is New Years for MA 2.

This finally category is, well, the potpourri portion of the show. Since there are no AAA fighting games in Q1 (sorry Iron Phoenix) and no arcade sports games at all for holiday 2004, there folks must battle it out. That's to bad for NFL Street 2, a game that should do very well considering the success of last year's title. However, with online play, fighters from Tecmo and Midway should easily prevail. It's likely that people will still be talking about DOAU when NFL Street 2 ships in January.

Winner: Holiday 2004

The Final Tally

In the end, it was very close, but Q1 2005 won 4-3. While this is not any sort of official declaration that Q1 2005 is better than holiday 2004, it might as well be. Buy yourself some Halo 2 November 9, play it non-stop until mid-January and then prepare for an onslaught of must-have games. And just think, we may well have Xbox 2 next holiday. What a year 2005 could turn out to be. It certainly is starting with a bang.